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Augusta businessman admits to selling unregulated pesticide

The owner of an Augusta pest control business pleaded guilty Thursday to making a false statement and distributing an unregulated pesticide.

Chen Zong Geng, the owner of Chen & Friends Pest Solutions, pleaded guilty to the charges in U.S. District Court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Troy Clark said federal inspectors discovered Chen was purchasing pesticide in bulk and repackaging and selling it under his own label to Chinese restaurants in the United States. Chen advised at least one customer to hide the pesticide during heath inspections. There was also a warning on the container, Clark said.